The fish comprise some 6,250 chub, 3,750 bream and 2,000 barbel. Supplied from the Environment Agency's National Coarse Fish Hatchery at Calverton in Nottinghamshire, the young fish will naturalise, adapt and contribute to the improving fishery quality of the river.

Using higher income from increased rod licence sales, Environment Agency Wales placed bids for a share of the extra money. As a result, Wales has received an extra &#xA3;71,000 for fish stocking and habitat restoration projects.

A contribution from the Dee Anglers' Association recently added another 1,800 more mature chub of breeding quality. These were funded through donations received from the association's membership. The fish came from an approved source and were "grown-on" at the Agency's Maerdy Hatchery, near Corwen, Denbighshire.

Ken Parry, Fisheries Agency technical officer, North Wales, said, "The Agency in North Wales is pleased to be able to invest some of the angler's licence money in projects that will have long-term benefits for the recovering coarse fishery in the lower River Dee. We are confident that anglers appreciate the efforts being made and are enjoying much improved sport as a result."

Eric Humphries, the Welsh Team coarse angling coach and Fisheries Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee member representing North Wales Coarse Anglers, said, "It is good to see these extra fish going into the Dee. I am pleased to see that following major pollution in 2000 the River Dee has made a significant return to full recovery, beyond all my expectations."